When I first spotted Melvin on the beach I groaned. I had been feeling so smug that Don and I had snagged the early boat to Flamingo Island and had all the flamingos to ourselves before the lazy tourists arrived. But when Melvin came closer with his wheelbarrow and rake, I couldn't help but greet the happy looking guy.

"Beautiful Morning!"

Melvin sighed as he looked out over the sand he was tending. I pointed to all the empty chairs and we wondered together why more people didn't get out and enjoy the best part of the morning.

Flamingo Talk

Melvin did more than tend to the sand. He handled the flamingos. I told him that my husband was having a bit of a hard time with one flamingo. I explained, "It's the one with the gauze wrapped around his neck. He seems to be lurking over him." Melvin shook his head, "Oh I need to fix that. He keeps trying to take it off. Those flamingos can really go after each other. I have to try to keep them from messing with their wounds." Then he chuckled and pointed to where Don was sitting. "The flamingos won't leave you alone if you sit under that palapa!"

The palapa we had chosen, was the one that all the important guests sit under. "When the Queen of Holland visited, that's where she sat... The King of Aruba..." Melvin went on to tell stories about a rapper named Timberland who had his wedding on the island. He described a grand piano, on a floating island and all the body guards scattered about. I'm sure he had plenty more stories.

I told Melvin, I couldn't believe he had a job where he got to walk on the beach and deal with beautiful flamingos all day. Then I felt bad because I used to resent it, when I taught preschool and heard comments like, "I wish I could play with kids all day."

Best Job EverBut Melvin gave me 2 thumbs up and told me he did appreciate his job!

Thanks, Melvin! That made me feel a little less guilty when I returned to my lounge chair and stared out at the turquoise water, as you worked. It made me happy to see someone who enjoyed his work!

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FIFTY-FIVE STRANGERS

To celebrate my birthday in April 2012, I decided to reflect on the past with a different kind of list. I've met a lot of people in my 55 years, but I'm going to stop and remind myself about thestrangersI've met. These are people I met by accident, not through friends or work. For some reason, these strangers dropped into my life. Even though we may have only spent a few minutes together, these people have never been forgotten.

Each week, I'll spotlight someone I met in the past, who in some small way, made me stop and think.